Birmingham City boss Lee Clark says he is honoured to be Blues manager and he is ready for the fight

And he is urging supporters to grasp the gravity of Blues financial plight, which is worsening, and take a realistic view of how it is impacting.

Clark says he will fight for all his worth to make a success of things at St Andrew’s and improve results.

Managerless Blackpool made an inquiry about Clark’s availability, but are not prepared to pay compensation for his services.

To Clark, it’s not an issue.

“I’ve got no thoughts on it because I’ve never been informed by anybody [about it],” he said.

“Listen, this is a fantastic football club and I’m honoured to be the manager.

“There is no one who hurts more than me; this season hasn’t been one that I have particularly enjoyed.

“This is the most amount of games I’ve ever lost in my life either as a player, a coach or a manager so I’m not enjoying that fact.

“But I know I’m the right man to do the right things.

“Obviously the club got to the play-off semi-final last year and there was all the positivity.

“But let’s deal with the reality in terms of what I’ve had to deal with since I’ve become the manager.

“One example is that I’ve given youngsters their debuts who weren’t even possibly getting contracts at the end of the season.

“I know the pressure is the manager’s and the buck stops with me. That’s not a problem.

“But I think that everyone needs to take stock and realise in terms of me being the football club manager what I’m having to deal with at times.

“I know that if we can get through this period we can turn it around.

“I’ve got a great set of youngsters to work with and if I am able to bring other top young players in alongside, I can replicate the type of runs and have us winning on a regular and continuing basis like I did at Huddersfield Town.

“I just need to be given a little bit of time to do that and people need to take a step back sometimes to realise just what’s had to be done here over the course of my time.

“I’m not ducking away from it. Results have to improve and be better and I take that on 100 per cent. But let’s get a dose of reality with that as well and see what has to be done.”

Clark has always been nothing if not frank and honest in his comments since replacing Chris Hughton in the Blues hot seat.

And here, in an emotional interview, it seems as if he is struggling to contain his present frustrations.

Blues have to sell players during the January transfer window to avoid administration, that is know. But yesterday Clark was unable to even extend free agent Papa Douba Diop's monthly contract.

And if Jack Butland is sold, then no new goalkeeper would be brought in - Colin Doyle would become first choice and Academy scholar Nick Townsend back up, after David Lucas was allowed to join Fleetwood Town.

“This is magnificent football club that can flourish in the Premier League,” Clark continued. “It’s a huge football club and that’s why when I was offered the opportunity to come here it was one I snatched their hand off.

“I wasn’t told any lies in terms of what the situation was. But obviously over the course of the season things have changed as well.

“We didn’t think at the time we’d be in a position come January where we’re looking to off-load players etc and having to move people out of the club because of the finances etc like Papa Bouba Diop - but that’s the reality.

“I’m ready for the fight and up for the challenge. I’ve spoken to the players to put them in the picture. I think it’s important that they realise and know where we are.

“We are the only people here who can lift the doom and gloom at the moment."

Blues are at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

They have won just two of their last 13 matches in the Championship.

"If we can start to get positive results it gives everyone a lift," added Clark.

"There are too many good people behind the scenes who work for this football club and have worked for this football club for many, many years and it’s their life and they’re fans.

"They work in offices at the training ground and at St Andrew’s and I’ve met them all and they’re fantastic.

"Me and the staff and the players have got to start improving the results to give everyone else a boost around the football club and make the next few months nice and positive and go from there and start to rebuild."